Acetylene-gas apparatus



N0. 60,632 Patented Jan. l0, I899. E. BOURNONVILLE. ACETYLENE GAS APPARATUS.

(Application filed July 8, 1897.) (flu Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

l l l ll' Illlll Mag/{Z Br A from/51's No. 617,632. Patented Jan. l0,, I899.

E. soummuvma. ACETYLENE GAS APPARATUS.

(Application filed Juiy 8, 1897.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheefs-Shaeii.

INVENTOH UNITED STATES ATENT nrica.

EUGENE BOURNONVILLE, or JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

ACETYLENAE-GAS APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,632, dated January 10, 1899.

Application filed July 8, 1897. Serial No. 643,788- No modelments in apparatus designed for generating acetylene gas from ca -bid of calcium; and the invention consists in the particular construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation taken through both the generator and the gasometer; and Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional front and side elevations of the casing containing the wheel,within the pockets of which. charges of the carbid are placed.

In'the drawings the generator-case is represented by A and may be of any suitable form and material. The bottom of this case A should, preferably, be sloping, forming a cone A for convenience in drawing off the lime, which is deposited as the residue of the carbid. For this purpose a pipe is connected to the bottom of the cone and is provided with a valve A'feed-p-ipe A is introduced through the upper portion of the generator. Immediately beneath this feed-pipe is a deflecting-plate a, ext-ending far enough beyond the edge of the feed-pipe to discharge the carbid away from the mouth of the pipe, so that the gas generated thereby cannot pass upward into the pi pc. vided at any suitable height with an opening for the introduction of water or other liquid which is to be introduced into the generator. 1 have shown for this In: rposc a spout or funnel A, provided with a hinged cover A. Any suitable device may, however, be substituted forthat shown.

To the up or end of the feed-pipe A" is attached a circular or cylindrical casing 13,

withinwhich'is supported a shaft (1, and uponthis shaft is a cylinder or wheel ll' This cylinder or wheel is divided into a number 0 segmental pockets or chambers by radial artitions B. The outer ends of these pockets ,or chambers are closed by a swinging door.

13. whi h is provided with a pin b, projecting This pipe may be pro-- .as used in gasometers.

from the side thcroohat its outer'end and adapted to be engaged by a spring b to hold the same closed. This wheel or casing may be removed from the end of the shaft when] Within the casing 13 and located near one 2 edge of'thc connection to the feed-pipe A is a pin or projection b, so placed as to engage the outer ends of the springs b when the wheel is revolved and thus to release the swinging doors B so as to successively discharge the contents of the chambers or pockets into the upper end of the feed pipe. To insure revolu-.

tion of the wheel inthe proper direction and with sulficient force to disengage the catches,

the shaft (1 should be provided with some positive means for rotating it, especially through the space necessary for discharging the first-two or three chambers. After this has been .done the wheelwillbe enough heavier on one side to supply the force necessary to revolve it. To accomplish the starting of the wheel, I have shown a wheel or pulley d upon the shaft and a weight (1*,- suspended from the pulley by means ofiacord d. It is evident that a spring may be used instead of the weight (1 As previously mentioned, it is hardly necessary to use either the weight or spring except at the beginning of the revolntion,when the wheel is practically balanced.

To the upper end of the generator-chamber is connected a pipe E, through which the gas as generated passes to the gasometer.

This pipe is provided with a valve e close to the generator-chamber, by means of which valve the pipe may be closed when desired.

The gasometer is composed of upperand lower chambers or bells G and G, the latter being the smaller in diameter and tele'scop: ing within the former. These bells or chambers are provided with the usual water seal the gasometer extends a little below the top The water g within,

of the lowerbell or chamber. The gasometer is also provided with a small cylinder H,

. resting upon the bottom the lower chambar and ha'vin its upper end. openand-extondi'ng to sue .an elevation as to rise above the water in'the gasometer. lhe pipe E, leading from the generator, is connected within ter. Instead of water for this purpose any other liquid which it is desired to use for purifyingthe gas may be substituted. The

cylinder H may also be provided with an overflow-pipe I, theupper end of which extends to the level it is desired that the liquid shall occupy. Said pipe I is provided with a valve 1 outside the g'asometer which valve maybe opened when the liquid H is poured in the cylinder. This latter feature,however, is thoughtto be unnecessary in most cases, but may be used,- if desired. The upper end of thecylin'der H is shown as having a layer H of porous material, through which the gas passes and by which it is further purified This, however, forms no feature of my present invention, and is therefore not described. A pi F enters the bottom of the gasometer an 4 extends upward through the water,

its upper end projecting above the water, and through this pipe thegas is drawn as used. To the pipe F is connected as by-pass' pipe F, which at its other end is connected to the pipe E, extending between the generator and the gasometer, the pipe F being provided with a valve The connection of the pipes E and F is pre erably made at such an elevation above the bottom of the cylinder H that the liquid in said cylinder will form an eflicient seal against back pressure of the gas in the gasometer when the pressure in the generator is relieved. A valve E is placed between this by-pass connection and the connection to the gasometer, so that it may be closed when de-.

sired. A'small valve or nipple e is also connected to the pipe E and may be used for attaching a funnel in order to supply water or other liquid for the bottom of the cylinder H.

The rear side oi the wheel I? is provided with a series of projections b corresponding with the number of chambers or pockets within the wheel. The outer casing li is provided with an escapement mechanism adapted to enga e with these projections? and thus to regu ate the revolutions of the wheel. This escapement mechanism consists of a level i), which is pivoted at its center and has pins D ateach end progecting through the side of the casiugB and engaging the projections b. To this lever D is affixed an arm D, and to this arm is connected a rod D which extends over to the gasometer. At its opposite end this red D is connected to the lever K, which is pivoted at k to some fixed part of the asometax. The lever K has a portion-K p ed at an angle to the pathot travel of some portion of the upper bell G's As indicated in the drawings, the portion utilized for this purpose is onset the rollersK, by which the upper por-' tion of the gasometer is guided in its ascent and descent. When the gasometer falls to its lower position, this roller K will engage the portion K of the lever and force thelever outward, and thus will release the 11 per pin 1), which is normally held toward t 0 wheel by the spring D, and will permit the wheel to rotate until it is checked by the engagement of one of the projections b with the lower pin D. During this portion otthe movement the spring engages the pin b'and the oarbid is dischar ed into the upper end To! the feedpipe. s the upper portion of the gasometer rises through the influence of the gas genera-1 ted by the discharge of the carbidthe portion K will be freed from the roller K' and the spring D will be alloyed to return the escapement to its normal position. In doing this the lower pin D will be freed from the projection;

the path of the other projection b. This latter movement'is usually sli ht'. In this way the rotation of the wheel is ivided into two r-' tions. It is veryevident that any form 0 escapement may be substituted for that show: and described for this purpose. The essential requirement for such a device is that it; will permit the movement of the wheel through the angle occupied by one of the pockets or chambers. The rotation of the wheel is caused by the weight D', a spring, or whatever is substituted for the weight or spring, and the escape'ment simply controls the extent 'of the revolution of the wheel.

In using a device of this character it is necessary to frequently draw oi! the lime which is deposited in the bottom of the generator as the IGSidllO resulting from the decompositionof the carbid, and for this purpose the pipe and valve A have'been provided. It isdesired to be able to accomplish this without permitting the entrance of any air to the generator. In order that this may be accomplished, a layer of oil or similar material which will not mix with the water and which is of less specific. gravity than the water is introduced into the generator. This layer is of considerable depth and the amount of water such .that the surface thereof will be slightly below the lower end of the feed-pipe A. By reason of this'when it is desired to cleanse the generator a considerable amount of water may be drawn oif without bringing the top surface of the oil below the bottom of the feed-pipe. In this way a sufiicient amount of water may be withdrawn to thor oughly flush the deposit from the bottom of the generator; also,by keeping the lower surface of the oil always below the bottom of the feed-pipe the liquid with n the feed-pipe,

b' and the upper pin D will be brought into i is neutral as respects the carbid-that is, has

generator when cleansing the same may be and which acts as a seal therefor, is oil which no effect to generate gas. By reason of this the generation of the gas while the car-bid is passing through the feed-pipe is prevented. By opening the valve f in the by-paa-x direct communication may he obtained with the upper portion of the generator-chamber and the upper portion of the gasometer, soth-at the space occupied by the liquid withdrawn from the replaced bygasfrom thei gasometer. In deing this the valve E may be closed, it desired. This, however, is not essential, as the connection of the bypass ,in the pipe E is at such a height, as previously explained, as to form an efficient water seal to prevent the gas-pressure from forcing the water in the to be sealed by a neutral liquid, and thus to prevent the possibility of any escape of the gas when each charge of the 'carbid is introdnced. These features are of considerable importance, and by this simple means the result is perfectly obtained. It also permits charges of carbid to be placed in a device.

which is entirely outside of the generator, and makes it unnecessary to open the generator for any purpose so long as it remains in good repair, The prevention ef the escape of even a small quantity of gas is a matter of considerable importance, as it is-very explo-' sive and also of an offensive odor. The use.

of the inner cylinder ll within the gasometer and the small amount of water 11 within the bottom thereof, thrbugh which the gas must pass, enables a uniform pressure to be used in the operation of the generator and does not make the pressure depend upon the depth of the water required in the gasometer. In devices in which the gaspipe is introduced through the water which acts as a s'ealfor the gasometcr the pressure required in connection with large gasometers amounts to very considerable. This is objectionable in many ways. By using an inner cylinder, as shown and described herein, the same pressure may be employed for all gasomcters.

'l'laving thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 1atent- 1. An acetylene-gas apparatus comprising a generator, a gasomete'r' having a liquid seal, a ylinder extending from the bottom of the ga ometer upward through the sealing liquid, an provided near its .bottom with a perforated diaphragm, a supply-pipe connecting the generator with the bottomof the said cylinder below the diaphragm, the said cylinder having a liquid in its'bottom of suflicient depth to form a liquid seal in'the supply: pipe, and an overflow-pipe leading from the said cylinder, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An acetylene-gas apparatus comprising a generator, a gasometer having a liquid seal,

a cylinder open at the top. and extending from the bottom of the gasorn-ater upward through the sealing liquid, said cylinder containing means for purifying the gasfia supply-pipe connecting the bottom of said cylinder with the generator, the said cylinder having'a 1iquid in the bottom thereof sufiicient to form a liquid seal within the supply-pipe, and a "valved by-pass connection from the interior.

of the gasometer to'the gas-supply pipe at a.

-' point between the liquid seal or trap and the generator, substantially as described.

3. An acetylene-gas apparatus comprising a generator, a gasometer, gas connections be-.

in either direction, and a valved by-pass con nection 'from'the gasometer to the gas con nection between this liquid seal o'rtrap and the generator, substantially as described.

.4. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the com bination with a generator and a gasometer, of

wheel mounted to turn on a horizontal axis a carbid-feeding mechanism comprifiinga.

and adaptedto supply successive charges of ing a casing connected with the feed-pipe leading to the generator, a wheel mounted to turn on a horizontal axis within said casing and provided withsegmental chambers or pockets, projections on one side of said wheel corresponding to the number of chambers or pockets, an" escapement mechanism for the said wheel comprising a lever pivoted at or near its center and provided with pins at each end extending through openings in the side of the casing and adapted to engage the projections on the wheel, and means for controlling the said escapement mechanism from the gasometer substantially as described.

' EUGENE BOURNONVILLE. Witnesses:

EVERARD BOLTON MARSHALL,

H. 'L. RnYNoLns.

, 5 5. A carbid-feeding mechanism, compris 

